Cleaning apparatus for water closet



p 29, 1964 J. T. DICK ETAL CLEANING APPARATUS FOR WATER CLOSET 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Jan. 4, 1962 FIG. I

INVENTORS THEODOR DICK 8 FRED MANN ATTORNEY JOSEF- p 1954 J. T. DICK ETAL CLEANING APPARATUS FOR WATER CLOSET 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Jan. 4, 1962 FIG. la

INVENTORS. JOSEF-THEODOR DICK 8 B FRED MANN WTORNEYS Sep 1964 J. T. DECK ETAL CLEANING? APPARATUS FOR WATER cwsm 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Jan. 4, 1962 FIG, 3

INVENTORS JOSEF-THEODOR DICK a FRED MANN ATTORN EY United States Patent 0 3,150,39? CLEAPHNG APPARATUS FQR WATER CLQSET dosef Theodor Dick and Fred Mann, both oi Balthasarstrasse 43, Cologne, Germany Filed .lan. 4, 1962, Ser, No. 16412.54 13 Claims. (Cl. 15-2465) This invention relates to the art of sanitary water closets and more particularly to an apparatus for automatically cleaning various surfaces of the water closet after use thereof.

The present invention is particularly applicable to the cleaning of the seat ring and bowl portion of a water closet and it will be discussed with particular reference thereto; however, it is to be appreciated that the invention has broader applications and may be used in cleaning various surfaces of a water closet or similar hygienic structures.

The conventional water closet comprises a generally semispherical bowl portion and a generally circular seat ring, the latter of which comes into direct contact with users of the water closet. It is connnon practice to provide means for causing water to flush over the surface of the bowl portion between uses of the water closet. By such random, uncontrolled flushing action, the bowl portion often was not completely cleaned and no means were provided for flushing the circular seat ring which, for hygienic purposes, should also be thoroughly washed or otherwise cleaned. Thus, it is obvious that the prior flushing arrangement for a water closet resulted in inadequate cleaning of all critical surfaces.

The present invention relates to a cleaning apparatus for a water closet which overcomes the above-mentioned disadvantages and others of the prior flush cleaning arrangement and which is economical to produce and readily adaptable for use on all water closets provided with a pivotally mounted cover.

In accordance with the present invention there is proviled an apparatus for automatically cleaning the generally circular seat ring of a water closet, comprising in combination: a cover movably mounted on the closet, a brush mounted so as to contact the seat ring when the cover is closed after each use of the closet, and power means for causing at least one rotation of the brush around the seat ring when the cover is closed.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is provided apparatus for automatically cleaning the generally circular seat ring and the generally semi-spherical bowl of a water closet, comprising in co nbination: a cover movably mounted on the closet, a first brush arranged so as to contact the seat ring when the cover is closed after each use of the closet, a second brush mounted so as to contact the conical bowl when the cover is closed after each use of the closet, the second brush means being displaceable by centrifugal f rce to contact the bowl surface around the bowl as the brush rotates and power means for causing movement of the brushes around the ring and the bowl.

The primary object of the present invention is the provision of an automatic cleaning apparatus for a water closet which is economical to produce, readily adaptable to a conventional water closet, and durable and efiicient in operation.

Still a further object of the present invention is the provision of an automatic clearing apparatus for water Patented Sept. 29, 1964 "ice closets which cleans both the generally circular seat ring and the generally semi-spherical bowl portion of the Water closet.

till a further object of the present invention is the provision of an automatic cleaning apparatus for a water closet which is provided with two simultaneously driven brushes which brushes clean two separate surfaces of the water closet.

Yet another object of the present invention is the provision of a rubber wiper member connected to the abovementioned seat ring cleaning brush to remove excessive water as the brush is cleaning the ring.

Still mother object of the present invention is the provision of an automatic cleaning apparatus for a water closet which is provided with two driven brushes to clean two separate surfaces of the water closet wherein the brushes are housed in the pivotally mounted cover of the water closet when they are not in operation.

Another object of the present invention is the provision of an automatic cleaning apparatus for a Water closet which is provided with two driven brus es to clean two separate surfaces or" the water closet wherein at least one brush is mounted on a link comprising a collapsible tube which becomes rigid upon being filled by pressurized water from the flushing system or by pressurized air from an auxiliary source when the brush is in operation.

Still a further object of the present invention is the provision of an automatic cleaning apparatus for a water closet which is provided with two driven brushes to clean two separate surfaces of the water closet wherein one brush moves in a circular path in a single plane and the other brush generates a semi-spherical surface having an axis generally perpendicular to the single plane of the first mentioned brush.

A still further object of the present invention is the provision of an automatic cleaning apparatus for a water closet which is provided with two driven brushes to clean two separate surfaces of the water closet wherein a water turbine is driven by the flushing water of the closet to drive the separate brushes.

These and other objects and advantages w ll become apparent from the following description used to illustrate the preferred embodiment of the invention as read in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a cross sectional side view illustrating the preferred embodiment of the present invention with the brushes out of contact with the water closet;

FIG. la is a schematic view of the flushing circuit used in the preferred embodiment of the present invention illustrating the system for inflating the brush support links;

2 is a cross sectional side view illustrating the preferred embodiment with the brushes in contact with the water closet;

PEG, 3 is a top view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view taken along line 44- of FIG. 3. I

Referring now to the drawings wherein the showings are for the purpose of illustrat ng a preferred embodimerit of the invention and not for limiting same, FIG. 1 shows a conventional water closet 18 having a generally circular seat ring 12 and a generally semi-spherical bowl 14 wherein the axis of the bowl is generally perpendicular to the plane of the ring.

Pivotarly secured to the a rear-portion of the water closet it? is a cover 16 provided with an appropriate hinge means 18. The cover may be constructed of a variety of materials; however, in the preferred embodiment the cover is molded from a plastic material. Centrally located on the cover 16 is an appropriate drive means 20 which, in a preferred embodiment, takes the form of a water driven turbine having an outwardly extending stub drive shaft 22. Any conventional piping may be employed to direct water from the flushing system of the closet through the turbine 20 to rotate the drive shaft 22. It is also possible to provide an electrically driven motor in place of the drive means 26; however, such a modification would necessitate a separate power source to the closet which can be appropriately eliminated by using a water turbine as disclosed in the preferred embodiment. Spaced outwardly from'the drive means 26 is an appropriate seat ring brush 24 which may take a variety of structural forms, the preferred of which is a sponge construction. This brush is securely aifixed to a connecting link 26 having appro-' priate configuration so that it may be joined by a hinge 28 to the rotating shaft 22 in a manner that upon closing of the cover 16 the brush 24 contacts the upper surface of the seat ring 12. p p

A second brush, bowl brush 3!), is aifixed to the outermost end of a double link 32 which is pivotally connected to link 26 at a hinge 34. The brush may take a variety of structural forms; however, in the preferred embodiment the brush has a bristle construction which creates a substantial scrubbing action as the brush rotates in contact with bowl portion 14.

A cover 16 is provided with a rearwardly extending integral compartment 44 adapted to receive the brushes 24, 39 when the cover 16 is pivotally moved to its uppermost position. Extending downwardly from the turbine 20 is a passage 42, best seen in 2 and 4,v through which a small quantity of water is directed onto the seat ring 12 so that the brush 24 can utilize the water to more 7 elficiently clean the surface of the seat ring. 'Since the water from passage 42 accumulates onthe seat ring, the rear edge of the brush 24 is provided with a rubber wiper of squeegee 44 that removes any excessive water from the ring 12. This is best shown in FIG. 4 wherein the arrows indicate the direction of rotation of the brush 24..

devised and adapted for accomplishing the purpose ofsequentially operating the main flushing cycle and instituting the cleaning cycle. It is also possible to brush the seat ring and the bowl during the main flushing cycle. In operation,the cover 16 is pivotally moved into the position shown in FIG. 2 after the water closet has been used. This actuates plunger 46 to operate valve V1 shown in FIGURE la for flushing the bowl 14 in the conventional manner and also actuates plunger 48 to operate valve V2 for initiating the cleaning cycle. Water is then forced through the drive means, or water turbine, P20 by a piping arrangement to rotate shaft 22. As shaft 22 is rotated by the drive means 2%, brush 24 moves in a circular path around seat ring 12 which is moistened by water from passage 42 and brush 3!) is rotated in contact with the generally semi-spherical bowl 14. I The center of gravity of brush 'is slightly ofiset from the V In an especially efiicient development of the cleaning device, the brush body, as well as the connecting links 26 and 32 for supporting the brushes, are constructed as hollow collapsible bodies as is shown in FIGURE la which are stabilized by pressurized water from the flushing cycle and directed into the hollow link through flexible tube 59 rotating with shaft 22 or air from an auxiliary source. In this manner the links 26 and 32 are made rigid or inflated during the brushing or cleaning cycle when water pressure is directed. from water line 52 through valve V2 into turbine 26. If solid rods are used, they must be provided with a protective coating or made from a non-corrodible material so that they will not deteriorate during prolonged usage.

Although a preferred structural embodiment of the invention has been illustrated in describing the invention, it is appreciated that the invention should not be limited thereto. Thus, a variety of structural modifications may be made in the preferred embodiment without departing from the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described our invention, we claim:

1. A cleaning apparatus for a water closet having a generally circular seat ring and a generally semi-spherical bowl, comprising in combination: a cover movably mounted on said closet, a power actuated drive means mounted adjacent said closet, a first brush mounted to rotate in a circular path coincidental with the circular seat ring and positioned so as to be in contact withsaid seat ring only when said cover is closed, means for drivingly connecting said first brush to said drive means, and.

actuator means for energizing said power means and causing at least one rotation of said first brush around said seat ring.

2. A cleaning apparatus as defined in claim 1 where n said power means comprises a water driven turbine mounted centrally on said cover. 3. A. cleaning apparatus as defined in claim 2 wherein said power means has a depending rotatable shaft and said first brush is pivotally mounted on said shaft whereby said first brush pivots into contact with said seat ring as said cover is moved toward said seat ring.

4. A cleaning apparatus as defined in claim 3 wherein a second brush is pivotally mounted on and rotated by said drive means, said second brush being mounted so as to be in contact with said bowl when said cover is closed, and said second brush having an oifset center of gravity whereby as said second brush is rotated by said power means said second brush is also moved in an arcuate path along said bowl.

5. A cleaning apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said first brush is provided with a means for directing water onto said seat ring in front of said first brush and a wiper means for removing excessive water'from behind said first brush as said brush moves along said seat ring.

6. An apparatus for automatically cleaning a water closet having a generally circular seat ring and a generally semi-spherical. bowl, said apparatus comprising, in combination: a cover pivotally mounted on said closet, a power operated drive means mounted adjacent said coyer, a first brush driven in a generally circular path by said drive means and adapted to contact said seat ring when said cover is closed after each use of said closet,

a second brush rotatably mounted generally'coaxially with said semi-spherical bowl and adapted to be rotated by said drive means, centrifugal means for displacing said of said brushes. I t

7. An apparatus'as defined in claim 6' including a means for flushing said closet and a means for thereafter initiating the actuating means for said drive means. 7

8. A mounting link for a brush adapted to be rotated in a w'aterclosetby drive means to clean at least one symmetrical surface on said closet, said link comprising, a

hollow collapsible tube connected to said brush and connected to said drive m ans and a means for directing eressnrized fluid into said link to make said link rigid during operation of said brush.

9. A mounting link as defined in claim 8 wherein a passage means is provided for directing Water from said Water closet into said hollow link during operation of said brush.

10. A cleaning apparatus for a Water closet having a generally semi-spherical bowl with a given spherical radius, comprising in combination: a cover movably pivotflly mounted on said closet, a power actuateddrive means centrally mounted with respect to said bowl and on said cover, a brush pivotally mounted onto said drive means and adapted to hang downwardly into said bowl 15 3 when said cover is closed, and said brush having a length substantially equal to said radius and a center of gravity offset from the center of said bowl.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,346,311 Friedrich July 13, 1920 1,512,174 Isaac Oct, 21, 1924 1,520,789 Weill Dec. 30, 1924- 2,465,460 Kronhaus Mar. 29, 1949 FOREIGN PATENTS 66,377 Germany Dec. 23, 1892 214,183 Germany Oct. 4, 1909 510,241 Germany Oct. 7, 1930 

1. A CLEANING APPARATUS FOR A WATER CLOSET HAVING A GENERALLY CIRCULAR SEAT RING AND A GENERALLY SEMI-SPHERICAL BOWL, COMPRISING IN COMBINATION: A COVER MOVABLY MOUNTED ON SAID CLOSET, A POWER ACTUATED DRIVE MEANS MOUNTED ADJACENT SAID CLOSET, A FIRST BRUSH MOUNTED TO ROTATE IN A CIRCULAR PATH COINCIDENTAL WITH THE CIRCULAR SEAT RING AND POSITIONED SO AS TO BE IN CONTACT WITH SAID SEAT RING ONLY WHEN SAID COVER IS CLOSED, MEANS FOR DRIVINGLY CONNECTING SAID FIRST BRUSH TO SAID DRIVE MEANS, AND ACTUATOR MEANS FOR ENERGIZING SAID POWER MEANS AND CAUSING AT LEAST ONE ROTATION OF SAID FIRST BRUSH AROUND SAID SEAT RING. 